My left hiking boot

Mrs M and I have started sketching. Actually re-started in my case, I was passionate about art in my youth, but the last time I did any sketching was over 15 years ago.

And I tell you what - I'm gonna do a lot more. The new creativity unleashed by photography is what has led to this. But it's got a different quality to photography - it's more participative; deliciously SLOW, almost meditative.

Yeah, I'm finding that spending less time on the Net has been a really good thing. Suddenly I've got loads of spare time. Can't believe how much time was getting gobbled up peering into w w wonderland. And my mind is more ordered and able to concentrate, no doubt relieved not to be flitting about at the speed of light from one web page to the next. Meditation sessions are going better than ever too. Don't get me wrong, I haven't turned into a Luddite, I've just made a decision to use the Net as a tool, not a lifestyle. Highly recommended.

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Other stuff:

• I merged my RSS readership stats from Feedburner with blogger and was bowled over to see that I got 34 RSS subscribers to this here blog! (see right bar widget) Hope you don't desert me now that daily(ish) is no longer happening :)
  
• This emigration move is gonna take longer than expected. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get into other countries. Unless of course you're an oil sheik or sumptin' - just slap down your 2 million dollars (regardless of what kind of scumbag you are) and the world's your oyster.
  
• Crime down here spirals worse and worse by the day - the country is only a degree or 2 away from total anarchy. Couple burglars in my garden this very afternoon. Just about every house on the road is up for sale. If total anrachy does hit, I won't bother making any formal immigration applications. I'll get a tourist visa, land somewhere, and never leave... (along with about 4 million other SA dudes). You guys out there living in the first world (shit, even the 2nd), you just dunno how lucky you got it.